Film

Emergence Screens at the Winter Film Awards International Film Festival

Published

1 month ago

February 21, 2023

Empowers Africa, a non-profit dedicated to Sub-Saharan Africa conservation, screened its latest short documentary Emergence at the Village Cinema in New York City as part of the 11^th Annual Winter Film Awards International Film Festival.

Attendees gathered at the Village Cinema to enjoy three films, including Empowers Africa’s short documentary titled Emergence,a film featuring Tsavo National Park’s incredible super tuskers and the remarkable humans preserving these iconic elephants. The film was made by Empowers Africa & Off Piste Africa. Super Tuskers are elephants who possess a rare genetic variation that produce tusks so large they touch the ground; each tusk weighs well over 100 lbs. Roughly 21 Super Tuskers exist on the planet and 9 of them live in the Tsavo. Many of these iconic “Tuskers” are reaching the end of their lifespan. Emergence sheds light on these rare elephants, the challenges they face, and the work dedicated humans are doing to guard them. With protection, there is an opportunity for these elephants to breed and keep this critically threatened gene pool alive.

“I am honored to have Emergence selected for the Winter Film Awards International Film Festival alongside other exceptional films and filmmakers,” said Krista Krieger, Chair of the Board & Executive Director of Empowers Africa.

Empowers Africa is a 501(c)(3) that focuses on funding programs in communities that surround protected conservation and wildlife areas or World Heritage sites; programs in urban communities where tourism is a strong source of development; and programs that support the protection of wildlife and land conservation. Empowers Africa has granted over twelve million dollars to over 60 organizations in 15 countries and serves as a fiscal sponsor to over 30 organizations working on the ground in Africa.

Empowers Africa also funds and produces educational documentaries about conservation and human empowerment issues in Africa, with a focus on matters such as: rhino anti-poaching efforts, lion and elephant conservation, education, small business development, and female empowerment. To date, Empowers Africa has produced 8 short film documentaries, many of which have participated in local and international film festivals and won awards. For a full list of Empowers Africa’s documentaries, please visit their YouTube channel or their website’s film page.

You can see Emergence

Winter Film Awards International Film Festival NYC
https://winterfilmawards.com/wfa2023/
Feb 22 time TBD
Winter Film Awards International Film Festival NYC
31 West 34th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10001

Colorado Environmental Film Festival
https://ceff.net/
Feb 24 7:15PM Mountain Standard Time and can also be streamed between Feb 27 to March 5
Colorado Environmental Film Festival
P.O. Box 491
Golden, CO 80402

Thomas Edison Film Festival
https://tefilmfest.org/
February 18th, 2023 start date – our film dates/time TBD
Thomas Edison Film Festival
Traveling Film Festival – locations TBD

Nature Without Borders International Film Festival
https://www.nwbiff.com/
May 20, 2023 start date – our film dates/times TBD
Nature Without Borders International Film Festival
18670 Coastal Highway
#1048
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Wildlife Conservation Film Festival
https://www.wcff.org/
October 12, 2023 – our film dates/times TBD
Wildlife Conservation Film Festival
Cinema Village Theater
22 East 12th Street
New York, New York 10003

To learn more about Empowers Africa, please visit the organization’s website at www.empowersafrica.org or follow it on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

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The Glorious Corner

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Film and Stage Performer Jean Louisa Kelly Returns To The Laurie Beechman Theatre with Anything Can Happen!

Errol Rappaport

Celebrities

The Glorious Corner

Published

21 mins ago

March 27, 2023

G. H. HARDING

G.H. Harding

SLY REVIVED — (via Rolling Stone) Sly Stone, the enigmatic R&B/funk icon, will share his story in a new memoir, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), arriving Oct. 17 via Questlove’s new publishing imprint, AUWA Books.

Stone co-wrote the new book with Ben Greeman, who’s written memoirs with George Clinton, Brian Wilson, and Questlove (he helped the Roots drummer with his three other books, too). Questlove — who’s directing a documentary about Stone — will also pen a foreword for Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).

In a statement, Stone said, “For as long as I can remember folks have been asking me to tell my story. I wasn’t ready. I had to be in a new frame of mind to become Sylvester Stewart again to tell the true story of Sly Stone. It’s been a wild ride and hopefully my fans enjoy it too.”

Born Sylvester Stewart, Stone’s music career began when he was a child, singing in a gospel quartet with his siblings. In the Sixties, he worked as a radio DJ in the Bay Area, forming various soul groups, including the extremely successful Sly and the Family Stone. The group’s debut,A Whole new Thing, arrived in 1967, and that same year they released their first major hit, “Dance to the Music,” which anchored the band’s second album. Between 1967 and and 1982, Sly and the Family Stone released 10 albums, including classics like Stand! and There’s a Riot Goin; On.

But after the dissolution of the Family Stone, Stone struggled to find success as a solo artist while simultaneously battling drug addiction. Though he got sober, he receded from public life, making only sporadic appearances, like the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a performance at the 2006 Grammys. In 2011, Stone released a new solo album, I’m Back! Family and Friends; in 2016, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys.

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) is one of several books on the initial slate for Questlove’s new AUWA Books venture. (The Farrar, Straus and Giroux imprint takes its name, by the way, from the bird-call noise Prince used on songs like “Baby I’m a Star” and “Eye No.”) Also on the docket: Questlove’s new book, Hip-Hop Is History, and a book from TikTok star Drew Afualo (both out in 2024).

This is major news for sure. If you’re of a certain age, Sly Stone’s music was the best. The true of story of what actually happened should be cataclysmic. The stories I’ve heard over the years encompass almost everything good and bad about the music industry. I hope the curtain is finally pulled back in this instance.

Neil Young

TICKET TO YOUNG — (Via Ultimate Classic Rock) Count Neil Young among those musicians who blame escalating ticket prices for ruining the concert industry. “It’s over. The old days are gone,” Young declared in a message posted to his Neil Young Archives website. “I get letters blaming me for $3,000.00 tickets for a benefit I am doing. That money does not go to me or the benefit. Artists have to worry about ripped off fans blaming them for Ticketmaster add-ons and scalpers.”

The acclaimed rocker’s message was accompanied by a story about the Cure and their recent battle with Ticketmaster. The ticketing giant earned the scorn of the goth rock band and their fans by adding several fees to ticket prices for the Cure’s upcoming North American tour. In some cases, these “unduly high” fees, as Robert Smith called them, resulted in the actual price of tickets nearly doubling from their face value. Ticketmaster eventually agreed to refund some of the cost.

“Concert tours are no longer fun,” Young opined, pointing to ticket fees and scalpers as the culprit. “Concert tours not what they were.”

Young’s thoughts about ticket prices are the latest in his ongoing list of gripes regarding modern touring. In December, the rocker reiterated his refusal to play at concert venues that use factory farms.

John Wick: Chapter 4

SHORT TAKES — Could Big Blue be coming back? Blockbuster for decades was the go-to spot for DVDs and video-tapes. Stay tuned …I love Keanu Reeves, but I must admit I’ve not seen any of the John Wick movies. Chapter 4 opened this past weekend with a $74 million+ score. Rather amazing in this post-covid period.

I pulled up the trailer and was terrifically impressed by the lush visuals; beautiful music and Reeves and Lance Reddick just sensational. I am thinking of a John Wick-weekend where I’ll watch all 4 … Writer/producer Terry Jastrow arrives in NY this week with his wife actress Anne Archer … Whatever happened to the Madonna biopic? You ask three different people and you get three different answers,. Check this one out from IndieWire: https://www.indiewire.com/2023/03/julia-garner-madonna-biopic-fingers-crossed-1234819696/ …

Julia Garner

Personally, I don’t think Garner should do it. Mired in controversy already, could it really be any good? … GUESS WHO DON”T SUE: What up-and-coming metal band is using the name of a high-profile manager to score some Manhattan-gigs? They were going to work with the manager until it blew up. Simply shady if you ask me … btw: whatever happened to Wendy Stuart Kaplan? …

Shrinking

Friday was the last episode (for their inaugural season) of Apple TV+’s Shrinking which has just been so excellent in this its debut season. Jason Segal and Brett Goldstein have come up with the best show on streaming yet. Infectiously good and the acting turns from Segal and Harrison Ford are off the charts. The show culminated in a wedding for best-friend Brian (Michael Urie) and ended with a call-back to the show’s very first scene. Remember it? Truly a one-of-a-kind show. We loved it … I’ve heard at least 4 stories on the news this weekend about composting. Is this a hot topic now? Trending is it? … RIP Nicholas Lloyd Webber

NAMES IN THE NEWS –— Alex Salzman; Rob Petrie; Anthony Pomes; Terry Jastrow; Tyrone Biljan; Jacqueline Boyd; Bill McCuddy; Brad LeBeau; Nile Rodgers; Nancy Hunt; Steve Leeds; Terri Epstein; Brenda K. Starr; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; William Schill; Robert Funaro; Vinny Pastore; Maureen Van Zandt; Tricia Daniels; and ZIGGY!

Celebrity

The Glorious Corner

Published

3 days ago

March 24, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

G.H. Harding

TODD’S AWATS — (from World Cafe) Fifty years ago, Todd Rundgren released his album A Wizard, a True Star, and it sounded like nothing else. World Cafe correspondent John Morrison says Rundgren was pushing boundaries, both in the technical creation of the music but also on a higher level. “Really, the entire approach to sound in this record is exploration of the mind, the spirit, the nature of sound itself,” Morrison says. “Like, the whole album is a trip.” In this session, Morrison takes us on a journey through Rundgren’s A Wizard, a True Star, exploring what the album meant when it came out and how its influence continues to reverberate.

I’ve been listening to a lot of Todd recently -we’re both from Philly- and the caliber of his output is just astonishing. From his legendary solo albums (Something/Anything); to his work with Utopia ; “We Gotta Get You A Woman”; his production work with Meat Loaf and Badfinger; Ringo; and his terrific tour with Micky Dolenz; Joey Molland; Christopher Cross termed the Fifty Years Ago … celebrating The Beatles White Album and writing songs like “Black Maria,” “Just One Victory,” “Sometimes I Don’t Know How To Feel” and “The Want Of Nail,” Todd is simply amazing.

War Babies

Currently he’s touring with Daryl Hall and there’s a bunch of sessions with Hall that are on Daryl’s House. The way their two voices blend is simply amazing. One of my all-time favorite albums is War Babies, from Hall & Oates in 1974. Just amazing songs and the production, courtesy of Todd, is equally compelling. Stunning!

WILLIS REED RIP — I’m not much of a sports fan these days; I can’t even seem to keep up with all the new rules; but when Willis Reed was the center of The Knicks, I most definitely was. I even remember going to dozens of games at MAdison Square Garden (and always seeing Woody Allen there) and having the time of my life. Yes, it was eons ago; before the pandemic; but the game seemed to be so much more fun then. He passed yesterday. A giant for sure and an amazing player. RIP!

Joe Pantoliano

SHORT TAKES — Joe Pantoliano (Joey Pants) is essaying Morris Levy in the forthcoming play Rock & Roll Man about Alan Freed. Freed is played by Constantine Maroulis. Also coming is the movie Spinning Gold; the story of record exec-Neil Bogart. Both should be something to see … Am reading and reading nothing but rave reviews of Sunday’s Succession on HBO; the first of ten episodes which will wrap up the story. In all the reviews, the writing emerges the star. Jesse Armstrong, a genius for sure. Can’t wait. Check out Roger Friedman’s take from his Showbiz 411: https://www.showbiz411.com/2023/03/22/succession-returns-for-finale-season-sit-down-have-a-drink-or-two-its-intense-as-ever … 79 year old Top Gun: Maverick producer Jerry Bruckheimer: “Don Simpson (Bruckheimer’s late-producing partner) used to say we’re in the transportation business: we transport you from one place to another” …

Jason Ritter

Terrific Accused episode this week, starring Jason Ritter in Jack’s Story. Jason, John Ritter’s son was just excellent; the show was just renewed by Fox … Steve Miller, out on the road, has some interesting openers for his upcoming tour: Dave Mason and Joe Bonamassa. Mason’s book (Only You Know and I Know) is out in May … Dennis Scott hosted a special invitation-only Happy Birthday, Mister Rogers event in Nashville for media, TV, radio and music industry professionals, with support from ASCAP, this past Monday.

Fred Rogers cake

The event featured special musical performances given by country singer-songwriter Teea Goans, singer-songwriter & guitar virtuoso Parker Hastings, who put a Chet Atkins-like spin on the original Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood theme song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” and studio vocalist Gary Janney. Here’s the cake prepared for the event … Happy Bday William Shatner ; Chaka Khan; Reese Witherspoon; and Anthony Pomes!

NAMES IN THE NEWS — Kim Garner; Cindy Ronzoni; Peter Shendell; Al Roker; Julie Gurovitsch; Avra; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Tony King; Charles Rosenay; Phil Collins; Tony Smith; Gail Colson; Howard Bloom; Carol Ross; Danny Goldberg; Paul Cooper; Tony Mandich; Randy Alexander; Shelley Cooper; Brad Balfour; and CHIP!

Cabaret

Cabaret, Talks and Concerts For April

Published

4 days ago

March 23, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

Spring, makes us gather as much sun as possible, but it also brings rain and it’s time to hop inside and catch your favorite performer. Here are our picks for April.

92 Street Y: 1395 Lexington Ave. 4/11: Apple TV+’s The Last Thing He Told Me: Jennifer Garner and Laura Dave; 4/19: Al Pacino in Conversation with David Rubenstein (In-Person); 4/30: Celebrating Balanchine: A Screening, Book Reading, Conversation and Performance with Director Connie Hochman, Heather Watts, Jennifer Homans, Tiler Peck, Unity Phelan, and Calvin Royal III Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of George Balanchine’s Death (In-Person)

Tony DeSare

Birdland Jazz: 315 West 44 St. Every Monday at 9:30pm Jim Caruso’s Cast Party; Every Tuesday at 8:30pm The Lineup with Susie Mosher; Every Saturday at 7pm Eric Comstock with Sean Smith (Bass) & special guest Barbara Fasano (Voice); 4/1: Eliane Elias; 4/3: Susie Mosher & John Boswell in CASHINO; 4/17: Anita Gillette & Penny Fuller: “Sin Twisters: The Next Frontier”; 4/17: Sean McDermott & Cassidy Place; 4/21 – 22: Tony DeSare; 4/24: Karen Akers and 4/25 – 29: John Pizzarelli Album Release

Christine Andreas

Cafe Carlyle: 35 E 76th St. 4/1: John Lloyd Young; 4/3: Seth Rudetsky; 4/5 -15; Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro; 18- 19 Christine Andreas; 4/20-21; John Brancy and Peter Dugan; 4/22; Richard Tognetti, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra and 4/25-29 Candace Bushnell.

Carnegie Hall: 881 7th Ave at 57th St.

Chelsea Table + Stage: Hilton Fashion District Hotel, 152 W 26th St. 4/14: Marieann Meringolo and 4/17: The Skivvies.

Don’t Tell Mama: 343 W. 46 St. 4/ 21: Tanya Moberly and 4/28: Ricky Ritzel’s Broadway!